Big Van Vader

Here is Big Van Vader's Japan debut from 1987 against the legendary Antonio Inoki. Most impressive was that Inoki was so taken with Vader's (Leon White) potential and talent he let Vader end his long winning streak to help put him over with the fans.

Vader had been a rookie only 2 years before in the AWA. He was trained by Brad Rheingans and had a title match with Stan Hansen just before leaving and traveling to Japan to gain invaluable experience that would help elevate him to the top spot in New Japan Pro Wrestling withing the next year. He would go on to be WCW World Champion on 3 occasions and have memorable fueds with Cactus Jack and Sting.
His most famous match occured in Japan against rival Stan Hansen when he was hit with a stiff punch that knocked his eye out of the socket, seen below in 3 parts:

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Pride, confidence gives the Hart Dynasty a chance at success

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Pride, confidence gives the Hart Dynasty a chance at success

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Wrestlemania Logos

I found this the other day. Very cool to see these and the changes over the years to the Wrestlmania logos.

I believe the only WM logo not to include the number except for the first one is Wrestlemania 2000 instead of 16 in some way.

Your WWE Monday Night Raw host this week

DUSTY RHODES TO HOST RAW THIS MONDAY- With no celebrity announced for this Monday's RAW, WWE has opted to chooseone of their own so to speak as the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes will thespecial guest host. Rhodes joins Batista, the "Million Dollar Man" TedDiBiase and Sgt Slaughter who are associated with WWE who have hosted theshow before. The Hall of Famer is currently working at the WWE developmentalterritory Florida Championship Wrestling where he is the head booker anddoes commentary as well for their TV tapings. Rhodes will surely have someon-screen interaction with his son Cody Rhodes just like Ted DiBiase didwith his son a few months ago when he hosted the show.

1st Annual SlummerSlam

It was on this day in 1988 that the WWF gave us the first Annual SummerSlam PPV Event. The card opened with the British Bulldogs facing the Rougeau Brothers. The card also saw the beginning of the Intercontinental title run of the Ultimate Warrior, who pinned Honky Tonk Man in 31 secs.
The main event was a huge tag team match, literally and in name wise, as the Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) met the Mega Bucks (Ted Dibiase and Andre the Giant).
I of course was rooting for Andre because I could not stand Hulk Hogan and I was disappointed that Savage had joined him. Later on when Savage "turned" on Hogan I was so happy and things were back to normal.
The true highlight of the main event was Miss Elizabeth taking off her skirt to distract Andre and Dibiase so the Mega Powers could make the remarkable comeback to win the match.
Lets watch

Rey Mysterio news

BREAKING NEWS: Rey Mysterio suspended

Just reported on WWE.com: "In accordance with WWE's Wellness Program,
effective Wednesday, September 2, Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio) is
suspended for 30 days for a violation of the company’s policy."

(thanks Wrestling Globe Newsletter)

Happy Birthday Sgt Slaughter

Today is the 61st Birthday of Robert Remus, better known as Sgt Slaughter. The Sarge has seen his career reborn on several different occasions. As a heel tag team champion in the NWA during the early 80s, American patriot in the WWF during the late 80s and then a heel again this time in the WWF. That time period he was famous for "siding with Iraq" and former hated rival the Iron Shiek during the Gulf War. It all culminated at Wrestlemania 7 in Los Angeles where he put the WWF Title on the line against Hulk Hogan.
I have 2 videos of Sgt Slaugter. First we see the build up to the WM 7 showdown.




Here in this video he is back to being the American Hero taking on Ric Flair in 1992.